EXCERPTS FROM BOTH BOOKS!

from: GRANDMA’S WONDERFUL, AMAZING AND ASTOUNDING BAG!

And all that mud……..

Jack started it, of course, with just a small snicker as he looked at Janie all covered in mud and splotches of it scattered all over her face and head. She did look silly, one would have to admit. So Billy just plain laughed out loud and that was soon followed by Grandma and then Eric and Janie couldn’t help but join in. Soon they were all laughing so much! What a sight they were. Covered in mud, standing in a pond, and laughing! 

Well, that was better than a roller coaster ride anywhere!” Grandma said as she finally was able to stop laughing. Still giggling a bit they all made it to the edge of the pond. They knew where they were. It was the pond right next to their street. Their houses were at the top of the hill and every time they went anywhere they passed it. Sometimes ducks would be on it or even deer walking by it. It really doesn’t have a name, but now the kids just might think up a name for it sometime soon.

 

 

FROM THE TRAVELER’S COMPANION :

MY CONSTANT COMPANION:

I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. (Lev. 26:12)      They call it the Barranca Del cobre.  Copper Canyon.  It is located in the northern part of Mexico and actually consists of five canyons, each one larger than the Grand Canyon in the U.S.A.    Our curiosity stirred, we boarded the train at Los Mochis and started on the trip which would take us over 300 miles of track.  Tracks which took more than 100 years to lay.  Starting at sea level, we would go through 87 tunnels, across 36 major bridges, and reach 8,000 feet.    As exciting as it sounds, one must always remember one is traveling in a third world country.  A fact I was immediately reminded of when my breakfast arrived in a Styrofoam box.  Oh well, I like sandwiches at six in the morning!     Although the trip can actually be done in one day, we took three.  Our first stop was Bahuichivo train station to catch the Mission Hotel’s bus to Cerocahui.  Bouncing over ten miles of dirt road we arrived in a beautiful valley dotted by homes, the center of which was the Mission and the Hotel.  Friendly people, good food, and tranquility surrounded us.   We walked up the dirt road, past the Mission, (where children giggled at having their picture taken) and on through town.  At each little home I thought about how easy it would be to live there.  My mind wandered, easy to live here and to be forgotten here.  Especially if one wanted to be forgotten.  No one would ever know you were here.  Enough of a tan and one would eventually blend into the countryside.  Man without a country, without a family, and with a name no one quite remembers.  Weary of the problems of life and relationships?  Ever think of disappearing? Breaking from my reverie, my Constant Companion reminded me that he would know where I was. ” Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast”. (Psalm 139:7-10)   Comfort surrounded me, as I was fully conscious of the love, which encompassed me.  He was, indeed, my Constant Companion.  Miles from nowhere he could find me.  Wandering vagabonds were His specialty.  He is the traveler’s Companion.

PRAYER:  Thank God he is able to be everywhere.  Praise Him for His constant companionship.

ACTIVITY:  Send a postcard to someone special today.  Remind them of God’s constant care